219.1   Arjuna starts off; Encounters Indra

The strong-armed son of Pandu then, having walked round his brothers and round Dhaumya also, and taking up his handsome bow, set out. And all creatures began to leave the way that Arjuna of great energy and prowess, urged by the desire of beholding Indra, took. And he passed over many mountains inhabited by ascetics, and then reached the sacred Himavat, the resort of the celestials. And the high-souled one reached the sacred mountain in one day, for like the winds he was gifted with the speed of the mind, in consequence of his ascetic austerities. And having crossed the Himavat, as also the Gandhamadana, he passed over many uneven and dangerous spots, walking night and day without fatigue. And having reached Indrakila, Dhananjaya stopped for a moment. And then he heard a voice in the skies, saying, 'Stop!' And hearing that voice, the son of Pandu cast his glances all around. And Arjuna, capable of using his left hand with skill equal to that of his right hand, then beheld before him an ascetic under the shade of a tree, blazing with Brahma brilliancy, of a tawny colour, with matted locks, and thin. And the mighty ascetic, beholding Arjuna stop at the place, addressed him, saying "Who are you, O child, arrived hither with bow and arrows, and cased in mail and accoutred in scabbard and gauntlet, and evidently wedded to the customs of the Kshatriya? There is no need of weapons here. This is the abode of peaceful Brahmanas devoted to ascetic austerities without anger or joy. There is no use for the bow here, for there is no dispute in this place of any kind. Therefore throw away, O child, this bow of yours. you hast obtained a pure state of life by coming here. O hero, there is no man who is like you in energy and prowess." That Brahmana thus addressed Arjuna, with a smiling face, repeatedly. But he succeeded not in moving Arjuna, firmly devoted to his purpose. The regenerate one, glad at heart, smilingly addressed Arjuna once more, saying " blest be you! I am Sakra: ask you the boon you desirest" Thus addressed, the heroic Dhananjaya bending his head and joining his hands, replied unto him of a thousand eyes, saying "Even this is the object of my wishes; grant me this boon, O illustrious one. I desire to learn from you all the weapons."
The chief of the celestials then, smiling, replied unto him cheerfully, saying "O Dhananjaya, when you hast reached this region, what need is there of weapons? you hast already obtained a pure state of life. Ask you for the regions of bliss that you desirest." Thus addressed, Dhananjaya replied unto him of a thousand eyes, saying "I desire not regions of bliss, nor objects of enjoyment, nor the state of a celestial; what is this talk about happiness? O chief of the celestials, I do not desire the prosperity of all the gods. Having left my brothers behind me in the forest, and without avenging myself on the foe, shall I incur the opprobrium for all ages of all the world." Thus addressed, the slayer of Vritra, consoling him with gentle words, spoke unto the son of Pandu, saying "When you are able to behold the three-eyed trident-bearing Siva, the lord of all creatures, it is then, O child, that I will give you all the celestial weapons. Therefore, strive you to obtain the sight of the highest of the gods; for it is only after you hast seen him that you will obtain all your wishes.' Having spoken thus unto Phalguna, Sakra disappeared then and there, and Arjuna, devoting himself to asceticism, remained at that spot."